Members of the Du Quoin Garden Club were busy at the city park Saturday showcasing their gardens to the general public. Front row from left: Bonnie Wilson, Joey Harsy, Amy Williams, Mary Jane Field, and Sherry Gravot. Back row: Pam Swallers and Verna Bastien.John Homan photo

Some of the fine flowers and plants on display on North Division Street, courtesy of the Du Quoin Garden Club.John Homan photo

BY JOHN HOMANManaging Editorjhoman@localsouthernnews.com

updated: 6/5/2018 12:02 PM

DU QUOIN -- Garden club members gathered at Keyes Park Saturday to showcase their two flower gardens for passers-by. One of the gardens appears on North Division Street right next to the road by the fence and a second one -- a hosta garden -- is inside the park.

Club member Pam Swallers said the Du Quoin Garden Club is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year.

"Our main emphasis is to help make our community an attractive place to live and by keeping the community gardens colorful and pleasing to the eye," Swallers said. She said the hosta garden was established in 2003 and the one on North Division was created in 1998 and is edged with bricks from the demolition of the John B. Ward School in 2005.

Planters and urns are evident at the entrance of the post office from proceeds of the first plant sale in 1966.

A mini park/gazebo was builty by volunteers on Main Street in 1996 and '97. There is also a butterfly garden at the mini park/gazebo with perennials, as well as the Telvi Wenzel Memorial, dedicated in 2015 in memory of a longtime Du Quoin Garden Club member and friend.

There is a Blue Star Marker located inside the Du Quoin State Fairgrounds. Dedicated in 2007 during the fair, the club assumed maintenance in 2017.

Finally, there is an arrangement at the Highway 51 South Welcome to Du Quoin sign. It was established in 2005 with help from local volunteers and private donations.